Pepsi gone bad

So, by now if you haven't seen the new Pepsi advert or the pure rage that it's caused on the internet then, well, where the hell have you been?

In my eyes, Pepsi adverts have never been particularly brilliant. Notoriously cheesy to say the least, but Pepsi as a brand is already just a given in anyone's day to day life, like you wouldn't be particularly shocked to see a Pepsi machine, so they don't really need to be taken seriously. However, there is such a thing as drawing the line, and stepping over that line. Way over.

At first I was a little confused as to the introduction of Kendall Jenner in this ad. Like, is that, who I think it is? Kendall, really? Whaaaaaat. But really, what the hell. I obviously can't speak for Kendall's personal opinions on what is going on in the world (not sure really how much her career detaches her from this sort of responsibility) but the fact that she is a member of probably the world's most superficial, materialistic family, I can't really say it was an educated decision to use her for this type of ad. People who thrive off their instagram likes fronting and much more, defusing the agro between protestors and the police?...?????????????????

To give a brief insight into the ad if you really haven't seen it (as I can no longer find a link that hasn't been taken down) there is a somewhat peaceful and joyful protest walking the streets of a rather exotic location. Amongst these protestors, every type of community is spoken for, LGBT, young creatives, so maybe Kendall fits for the sake of representing every social group.

As a student who has unintentionally fallen into advertising, it's quite sad to see the power of narration used to promote a soft drink, of all things, through the down play of serious social issues. The falseness (or maybe simply bad acting) of the cast just made me want to vom. There was definitely a clear lack of passion carried by both the cast, the post production, the actual set, it was all just a bit meh, are you really trying to sell this bullshit?

Luckily, I'm not the only one who recognises the lack of respect that this ad projects. With 2016 definitely being the year of change (very very very bad change) people are already striving for someone to take responisbility and right the wrongs that people of power have betrayed us with. Twitter, in all it's over-opinionated glory, is the main driving force behind these social media war paths we create.

"@brothafresh: Twitter influence brought down an entire Pepsi ad all within 48hrs..the platform is real."

People continue to talk about the ad, including Martin Luther King's daughter, Bernice yet conversation quickly turns to the chemical war attack in Syria. What the eff has happened. In a world where people flee for safety, to countries who close their boarders out of selfishness. How are there not more of us who are angry? How have we become so soft that we let ourselves be controlled by fear, by politicians and more so, world leaders who simply don't deserve the time of day. The day we have more value for human life, and not just the pretty pictures we see on Instagram, the day we will actually be worth our stay on this rock. But maybe, everything can be solved by a can of bloody Pepsi.